A discussion of Tenaflys core identity of great schools and how Tenafly protects this identity is a topic that seems to resonate and is probably worthy of debate. So I wanted to start a new thread about education, class, race and diversity in and around Tenafly and why it matters. Economic and racial segregation is a disservice to both rich kids and poor; both black kids and white. The practice of segregation in one area carries over to others and also harms gay kids and straight. Better economic diversity would lead to better racial diversity. Real meritocracy, not magnet schools for blacks, would lead the nation to be better equipped for global competition. These things must be fixed one town at a time. Tenafly is clearly a great place to start. Failure to do so is technically called institutional racism, and all members of a community have an undeniable responsibility to fix that. I am not talking about false charges of active racism where people point to a realtor and scapegoat that messenger for sharing demographics (as all realtors properly do). Im talking about the town as an institution and us each as a friend of the town taking action to limit the impact of historic racism and other wrongs against a diverse society, such as hate speech against LGBT. Im talking about actively celebrating diversity and consistently conducting outreach to bring diversity to towns like Tenafly. Leaders that are a product of a segregated education are not best-equipped to solve our problems. They are far more likely to suffer from group-think and often have an inability to modify their point of view effectively. They tend to be protectors of the culture, when the nations future really needs cultural innovators. Tenafly is just another brick in the wall that creates a growing divide between the glutinous rich and those in poverty who are mostly children... children whom we have already burdened with huge debts they will suffer under until they die, unless we can bring them each fair access to the same education as our own children... not the myth of separate but equal. I have seen a leader from racially segregated education bring the very worst misogyny into the business world. I can no longer be surprised that injustice in one area just seems to legitimize other injustice. Redrawing school districts and building affordable housing and apartments might be one good step forward, but any form of step forward is worthwhile. My experience is that many baby steps can work really well. Does anyone have ideas about whether and how towns like Tenafly might change?
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:00:27 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015